Sectional container having nestable sections



Dec. 10, 1963 Filed May 26, 1961 G. F. SWENCK 3,113,690

SECTIONAL CONTAINER HAVING NESTABLE SECTIONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 I [52132 I22 fisz I48 INVENTOR GEORGE F. SWENCK ATTORNEYS Dec; 10, 1.963

e Sheets-She et s mvmon scones F. swsucx ATTORNEYS e. F.. SWENCK3,113,696 SECTIONAL CONTAINER HAVING NES'I'ABLE smcwxous Filed May 261,1961 Dec. 10, 1963 G. F. SWENCK SECTIONAL CONTAINER HAVING NESTABLESECTIONS Filed May 26, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIO INVENTOR GEORGE F.SWENCK BY WLZMWW ATTORNEYS Dec. :10, 1963 a. F. SWENCK 3,

SECTIONAL CONTAINER HAVING JNESTABIJE SECTIONS Filed May .26, .1961 '6Sheets-Sheet '5 M ZF- J I04 40 F1625) aa f I I 94 52% mg 94 I 'INVENTORGEORGE 'F. SWE N C K BY 1% SM ATTORNEYS Dec. '10, 1963 G. F. :swENcKSECTIONAL CONTAINERHAVING 'NESTABLE SECTIONS .Fil'ed May '26. 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 6 GEORGE F. 'SWENCK MWMMW ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,113,690 SECTIUNAL CQNTAHNER HAVING NESTABLE SEiZTitPNS George F.weneir, Henrico County, Va, assignor to Reynoids Metals Company,Richmond, Va, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 26, 1961, Ser. No.112,834 12 Claims. (Cl. 220-15) This invention relates to containersespecially adapted for the shipment of flowabie bulk materials, e.g.,finely divide-d solids, liquids, and solids or semi-solids which can beliquidized by heating. Although containers embodying this invention findtheir primary usage in the shipment of such bulk materials, it Will berealized that they can be used for the shipment of other products.

More particularly, this invention relates to containers constructed intwo sections which can be detached from each other and nested forshipment when the container is empty, thus efiecting obvioustransportation economies. Contm'ners of this type usually areconstructed with an upper section and a lower section each having aclosed end or base from which side walls diverge toward an open mouththat is somewhat larger than the base. The upper and lower sections ofthe container are adapted to be assembled with their open months inopposition and secured together about their rims in a manner to providea tight joint or peripheral seam substantially midway of the height ofthe assembled container. When the container is used for the shipment ofbulk material, the upper section usually is provided with a fillingopening and the lower section with a drain or outlet opening, bothopenings having removable closures.

While containers of the foregoing type are known, present designs arenot completely satisfactory. For example, the various fastening meanspresently employed for securing the two sections of the containertogether, when in their assembled relation, are not easily operable andare readily subject to damage by the handling of the containers which isnecessary incident to their use. In this connection, containers of thetype under consideration will be handled, assembled and disassembledmostly by unskilled labor. Consequently, the construction of thecontainers, and their fastening means, must be such as to not onlysimplify the assembly, securing together, and disassembly of the twocontainer sections, but also minimize damage to the container and itsfastening means in the handling of such containers.

Containers of the type under consideration frequently are used for theshipment of solids or semi-solids, such as asphalt, which leave aresidue in the container sections after the container has been emptiedof such contents. Hence, it is most desirable for such containers tohave their sections nestable with appreciable clearance between all oftheir confronting surfaces in order to permit the nested sections to bereadily disassembled without sticking. Known containers do not flwaysmeet such a requirement. Moreover, the construction of existingcontainers of this type is not always such to permit nesting of thesections of several containers in a haphazard order, obviously a mostdesirable feature when using unskilled labor.

Containers of the type under consideration not only will be lifted outof and lowered into the ships holds, but also must sometimes be tieddown to prevent movement during shipment. Hence, such containers shouldbe constructed so as to be readily engageable by lifting or tiedownelements. Present container constructions, however, either precludeready engagement by simple lifting or tie-down elements, or else areprovided with protruding eyes, clevises, or the like, which not only arereadily damaged but usually interfere with adjacent con- 3,1135%Patented Dec. 10, 1963 2 tainers to thus diminishshipping-space-utilization of a plurality of such containers.

Containers of the type under consideration should also be constructed soas to be readily stacked, for the most efficient utilization of shippingspace. Present containers of this type are not always constructed so asto permit stacking without damage to the containers themselves orwithout permitting lateral slippage of an upper container relative to alower.

Containers of the type under consideration, also are frequently moved bymeans of fork-lift trucks and/ or pallet trucks. Pallet trucks, as isknown, require greater clearance between the underside of an article tobe lifted and a supporting surface for such article than is required fora fork-lift truck. In the event that a. container is constructed so asto permit the use of a pallet truck therewith, althongh use of a.fork-like truck therewith necessarily will be permitted, the stacking ofsuch containers normally results in a diminishment in theirshipping-spaceutilization efliciency.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide 'an improvedsectional shipping container having nestable sections.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved containerof the type under consideration with improved and simplified means forfastening the two sec tions together which not only are readily operableby unskilled labor, but also are less subject to damage than fastenersemployed for such purpose heretofore.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved containerof the type under consideration which is less subject to damage duringhandling than previous types of containers and which is constructed sothat the sections of several containers can be nested in any order whileat the same time maintaining appreciable clearances betweensubstantially all the confronting areas of the several nesting sections.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved containerof the type under consideration with simplified space-conserving meansfor attaching lifting or tie-down elements thereto, which means is lesssubject to damage than those heretofore employed.

It is another object of this invention to provide a container of thetype under consideration with leg elements which are readily adjustablein height so as to permit the use of fork-lift trucks for handling,while maintaining a maximum of space utilization efficiency whenstacked, 'or which can be adjusted to permit handling of a container bya pallet truck, the container and leg members also being constructed soas to permit stacking of a plurality of containers Without damage to thesections thereof while increasing the stability of a stack of suchcontainers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description and accompanying rawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a sectional container embodyingthis invention and showing the two sections of the container in theirassembled relation.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the container shown in FIGURE 1,with parts shown in section to illustrate details.

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of the container shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIGURE 1 andillustrating a lifting bridle attached thereto.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of FIGURE 1illustrating the mechanism of one of the fa-stenin means employed tosecure the two sections or halves of the container in their assembledrelation.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view talren substantially on line 6-6 of FIGURE5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view corresponding to FIGURE 6 butillustrating the position of the two container sections, and of theparts of the fastening mechanism, immediately prior to operating thelatter to secure the two sections together.

FIGURE 8 is a view corresponding to FIGURE but showing only the uppercontainer section and with the fastening mechanism in its stowedcondition.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of FIGURE8.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenthrough one of the corners, and through one of the lifting elementsthereat, of the container shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 11 is a front elevational view of the lifting element shown inFIGURES 4 and 10.

FIGURE 12 is a side view of the element shown in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of the element shown in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the corner spacebetween two containers embodying this invention that are in side-by-sideabutting relation and also in abutting relation with a common planarwall, and further illustrating the manner of attachment of one of thelifting elements shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lower right-handportion of FIGURE 2 and illustrating the leg construction thereat.

FIGURE 16 is an end view, partly in vertical section, of the legconstruction shown in FIGURE 15, and taken from the right-hand endthereof.

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary view of the underside of the leg constructionshown in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary view of the lower portion of FIGURE 2,illustrating the use of a fork-lift truck with a container embodyingthis invention.

FIGURE 19 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 18, but illustrating thearrangement of the leg construction to permit use of a pallet truck withthe container.

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a pluralityof nested sections of containers embodying this invention.

FIGURE 21 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 20, but illustratingsections nested in an order different from that shown in FIGURE 20.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings, a container embodyingthe present invention includes upper and lower sections 39 and 32 ofsubstantially identical size and shape. The sections and 32 have,respectively, generally rectangular bases or closed ends 34- (34-U and St-L, respectively) from which generally trapezoidal side walls 36 (fie-Uand 36-L, respectively) diverge toward open mouths 38 (38U and 38L,respectively) that are slightly larger than the bases 34. The sections3t; and 32 are adapted to be assembled with their open months 33 inopposition and to be secured together about the rims of such months inorder to provide an assembled closed container, as illustrated inFIGURES 1 to 4, especially adapted for shipment of bulk material orother products. It is contemplated that a container embodying thisinvention will be relatively large, having an overall height of theorder of something over 4 feet, an overall length approaching 5 feet,and an overall width approaching 4 feet.

The bases 34 and the major portion of the side walls 36 of each section39 and 32 are formed of relatively thin metal, preferably aluminum, asshown at 40, in FIGURES 5, 10, 20, and 21. The large size of eachsection renders difficult the formation of the thin metal portions 4t}thereof in one piece, as by a drawing process. Hence, each section 39and 32 may be formed in three parts, a generally U-shaped center partwhich forms the base 34 and two longer side walls 36 of the section, andtwo end parts that may be formed by a drawing or stamping process andare welded to the center part, along weld lines 42 (see FIGURES 2 and3), to form the shorter side walls. It will be noted that the junctionsor corners etween each base 34 and its side walls 36, and between theside walls themselves are smothly rounded. Such construction willminimize damage to the containers during shipment when assembled andfilled.

The closed end or base 34 U of the upper section 30 preferably isprovided with a plurality of spaced, elongated depressed areas orcorrugations 44 extending across the longer dimension of the base forstiffening purposes. The base 34-L of the bottom section 32 likewise isprovided with similar stiffening corrugations 46. The ends of thedepressed areas 44 and 4-6 terminate short of the lateral edges of theirrespective bases 34, as shown in FIGURE 3, in order to avoid themanufacturing dif ficulties encountered in extending such areas aroundthe corners between the bases and their side walls 36. The base 34-U ofthe top section 34) is provided with a entrally-located filling openinghaving a suitably reinforced rim 48 adapted for the reception of aremovable closure, such as a threaded plug 56. A similar drain openingor outlet (not shown) may be provided at a suitable location in thelower section 32.

The open months 38, or rims of the relatively thin metal portions 4t),of the two sections 3t) and 32 are reinforced by heavier endless upperand lower rim elements 52 and 54, respectively. These elementspreferably are formed of aluminum extrusions, and their inner sides havesmooth uninterrupted peripheral surfaces 56 and 58, that aresubstantially flush, when the two container sections are assembled, toprovide a smooth joint at the meeting edges between the two rim elements52 and 54, as shown best in FIGURE 6. The inner sides of the rimelements 52 and 54 are recessed along the inner sides of the edgeportions thereof remote from the meeting edges of the two elements, asat 66 so that the edge or rim portion of the thin metal portion 4% ofthe corresponding container sections can be received in such recess andwelded therein so as to be substantially flush with the smooth innerperipheral surfaces 56 and 58, as shown in FIGURES 6, 9, 10, 20 and 21.

The meeting edge of the upper rim element 52 is provided with adepending somewhat tapered endless rib or tongue 62, while the meetingedge of the lower rim element 54 is provided with an endless groove 64,generally complementary to the rib but of somewhat greater width anddepth. Secured in the groove, as by an appropriate adhesive, is anendless resilient tubular sealing strip or gasket 66. When relaxed, thegasket 66 pro jects slightly above the meeting edge of the lower rimelement 54, as shown in FIGURE 7, but is adapted to be compressed by therib 62 on the upper rim element 52 when the two elements are securedtogether, as shown in FIGURE 5 and as later explained, in order to forma tight seal between the two container sections 30 and 32 whenassembled.

The outer side of the rim element 52 of the upper section 39 is providedwith an outwardly-facing peripheral groove or recess 63 of appreciablevertical extent, as shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 10, while the outer sideof the rim element 54 of the lower section 32 is provided with asomewhat similar outwardly-facing peripheral groove or recess 70 ofsomewhat less width than the recess in the upper rim element. The upperside wall of the recess '79 is undercut so as to provide a depending;somewhat-rounded endless lip 72, best shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7. Aboveits recess as the outer side of the upper rim element 52 is providedwith an outwardly facing endless uninterrupted peripheral surfaceportion: 74 forming a band that defines the major transverse dimensionsof the upper container section 3%. The outer? side of the lower rimelement 54, below its recess 70, likewise is provided with a similaroutwardly-facing endless uninterrupted peripheral surface portion 76forming a band, of equal size with the band 74 on the upper rim element52, and which defines the major transverse dimensions of the lowercontainer section 32. Those portions 75 and 77 of the outer sides of therim elements 52 and 54, respectively, extending between the recesses 68and 7t and the respective meeting edges of the elements are disposedsomewhat inwardly of the horizontal outline of the side-boundingsurfaces or hands l4 and 76 for reasons later explained. Thus, the outerside portions of the rim elements 52 and 554 constituted by the recesses63 and 76, as well as by the portions 75 and 77, are offset inwardly ofthe surface portions 74 and 76.

Mounted within and spaced along the recess or groove 63 in the upper rimelement are a plurality of toggle mechanisms '78 for detachablyfastening and securing the two container sections 30 and 32 together.For example, four such fastening mechanisms may be spaced uniformlyalong each side of the upper container section 36, as shown in FIGURESl, 2 and 4. Each mechanism 76 includes a pair of peripherally spacedpivot lugs 86, which may be integral with an elongated base 82, suitablysecured, as by welding, within and at the lower side of the groove 63,as shown in FIGURES 5 to 9. Extending between and journalled in the lugs84 is a pivot pin 84 which may be retained in place by means ofappropriate split washers 36 snugly embracing circumferential grooves atthe opposite projecting ends of the pin. Pivotally mounted on the pin 84for outward swinging movement about a horizontal axis are the two spacedside flanges 88 of a lever 99 joined, at their inner edges, by a commonflat web or base 92. The outer edges of the flanges S8, at locationsremote from the pivot pin 84, are provided with oppositely extendingears 94- adapted to be grasped manually for swinging the lever 98. Theproportions of the lever 99 are such that when it is in the fastening orsection-securing position shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, which is the same asthe stowed position shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, such lever is completelyconfined within the horizontal outline of the side-bounding surface orband 74 of the upper rim element 52.

Secured to and extending between the side flanges 853 of the lever i i),in spaced relation to the lever pivot pin 8- is a pivot pin 96 havingpivotally secured thereto one end of a plate-like member constituting adraw link 98. The other end of the link 98 is curved to form a hookElli) adapted to engage over the curved lip 72 on the lower rim element54, as shown in i IGURES 5 to 7. The proportions of the link 93 andlever are such that when the depending rib 62 of the upper containersection 33 rests on the uncompressed gasket 66 on the lower section 32,the lever can be swung out and the draw link can be swung inwardly sothat the hook 1% on the lower end thereof will engage beneath the lip'72 on the lower rim element 54, as shown in FIGURE 7. The lever $8 canthen be swung back upwardly into its securing position shown in FIGURES5 and 6 so as to draw the upper section 33 downwardly into firmengagement with the lower and to compress the gasket 66 to effect atight seal. As the lever 90 moves into its securing position the pivotpin 96 of the draw link 98 passes slightly beyond dead center, i.e., aline between the axis of the pivot pin 96 and the center of engagementbetween the hook 109 and the lip 7'2 passes to the right of the leverpivotal axis 34, as shown in FIGURE 6. Consequently, the several togglemechanisms 73 will securely lock the two container sections together. itwill be noted that the draw link 98 is somewhat bent intermediate itsends in order to accommodate the lever pivot pin 34 in the securedposition of the mechanism 73. it further will be seen that the outerside of the draw link 98, when in its securing position, is confinedwithin the horizontal outline of the side-bounding surfaces 74 and 76 ofthe container.

When the container sections 36 and 32 are disassembled, after thefastening mechanisms '78 have been disengaged, the draw link can beswung upward into the stowed position shown in FIGURE 9, wherein thelink, along with the lever 96 is confined within the peripheral outlineof the side-bounding surface 74 of the upper container section In orderto retain the link 93 in such stowed position, detent means are providedfor engagement therewith. Such detent means includes opposedprotuberances res on the lever flanges 83 adjacent the cars 94, whichprotuberances are spaced apart a. distance slightly less than the Widthof the draw link as. It also will be seen that appropriate detent means,not shown, can be provided to engage and retain the lever 9i) in itssecuring and stowed positions.

Thus, in both securing and stowed positions, the toggle mechanisms '73are protected against damage by confinement within the horizontaloutline of the surfaces 74 and '76 which define the side boundaries ofthe container when the sections 3% and 32 are assembled, and of theections individually when the latter are disassembled and nested asdescribed hereinafter.

The remote edges of the upper and lower rim elements 52 and 5d terminatein lips i104 and M6 spaced outwardly from the sides of the correspondingthin metal portions d ll of the corresponding container sections and 32in order to provide an undercut edge configuration. This configurationprovides an upwardly facing endless circumferential peripheral groove 1%around the element 52 of the upper section 3t? and a correspondingdownwardly facing endless peripheral groove lid in the rim element 54 ofthe lower section 32. By means of this construction it is possible toengage hook-like elements over the lips lblor file and within the grooveH93 or lit) for lifting or for tie-down purposes. For example, as shownin FlGURE 4, there are shown four lifting hooks 112 engaged with the lip1% on the lower container section 32 at the four corners of the latter.

Each hook 112, at its upper end, has a clevis lll l secured thereto, asby a pin 116, for attachment of the hook to a lifting bridle 11%.Preferably, each hook 112 is in the form of a plate-like element havingits lower end bent or curved into a hook-shaped configuration, as at12%, which likewise is curved in a plane transverse to the plane of thehook, as best shown in FIGURES 10, 12 and 13. By means of such lattercurvature the hook 112 conforms to the curved shape of the lips and 1%at each corner of the container.

Hooks of this character are preferred so that they can be insertedvertically into the space formed by the rounded corners of abuttingcontainers, as shown in FIGURE 14. In this connection, it will be seenthat the smallest such space will be formed when two side-byide abuttingcontainers also abut a common planar Wall, such as 1 .22, as shown inFIUURE 14. The width of the hook 112 should not exceed the maximumtransverse dimension of such space. Consequently, the hook 112 can bemoved vertically into such space, as shown in the dotted lines, and thenswung and moved either to the right or left to engage beneath thelifting lip MP6 of the right or left container. It will be seen that thehooks 112 also can be used effectively for ti -down purposes byengagement with the lip 1% on the upper rim element 5'2 of a container.

The proportions of the rim elements 52 and 5d, and their cross sectionalconfigurations, are such as to permit the sections 34 and 32 of severalcontainers to be nested in any order and in a manner wherein only therim element 52 or 5d of an inner nested section engages the rim elementof an adjacent outer section, while maintaining the thinner metalportions 4d of such sections with appreciable clearance therebetween, asshown in FlGURES 20 and 21. Thus, for example, as shown in 7 FlG-URE 20,two lower container sections 32 are shown in nested condition and anupper container section Si? is shown nested within the innermost lowercontainer section in FIGURE 21, two upper container sec tions 39 areshown nested one within the other while a lower container section 32 isshown nested within the innermost upper container section.

Secured to the base 3dL of the lower section 32, adjacent each cornerthereof, as by welding, is a blocklike stub leg 22. The legs 122, areelongated longitudinally of the container and of a hei ht to permit onlysufiicient clearance between the undersurface of the lower section base3d-L and an underlying supporting surface on which the legs rest, topermit the insertion beneath the container of the forks 124 of afork-lift truck 126, as. shown in FIGURE 18. The bottom of each leg 122is provided with a socket 123 (FIGURES 15 and 17) that preferably tapersupwardly, while the base lid-U of the top section 3b of the container isprovided at each corner thereof, and in vertical registry with thesockets 128 in the legs 12-2 on the lower section 32, with an upwardlytapering stacking lug 13d. It will be seen that when a container isstacked on top of another, the lugs 13% on a lower container will bereceived in the sockets 12? in the stub legs 12 2 on an upper containerso as to stabilize the stack.

Hinged to the outer end of each stub leg 122 is a block-like leg section132 of substantially the same dimensions as the stub leg 122. The hingedconnection may be efiected as by means of a link 13% disposed inconfronting recesses in adjacent ends of the stub leg 122 and the legsection 132 and connected to the latter by means of horizontal pivotpins 136. The hinged connection is such as to permit the leg section 132to be disposed in substantially horizontal alignment with the stub leg122, as shown in FIGURES 2, l and 18, or to be moved into a positionunderlying the stub leg, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE and fulllines in FIGURE 19. In this latter position, it will be seen that theeffective height of the stub leg 122 will be substantially doubled, thuspermitting the use of a pallet truck 1353 with the container, as shownin FIGURE 19. In this connection, it is wellknown that a pallet truckrequires greater clearance for insertion beneath an element to be movedthan is required for the forks of a fork-lift truck.

The leg section 132 may be retained in either of its two positions bymeans of a manually operable catch in the form of a hook 146 having ashank reciprocable and rotatable in a bore 1 42 in the section 132. Theend of the bore 142 remote from the bight of the hook 144 is enlarged orcounterbored for the reception of a coil compression spring 144 that isinterposed between the shoulder at the inner end of the counterbore anda washer and a nut 146 threaded on the end of the hook shank, as shownin FIGURES l6 and 17. The point f the hook El i-t is insertable throughan aperture 148 in the side of the leg section for projecting into arecess 150 therein. The base 34-1.: of the lower section 32 is providedwith a depending lug 152 receivable in the recess 154 in the leg section132 when the latter is in its hori zontal aligned position. A recess inthe lug 152 is adapted to receive the point of the hook ltd-t in orderto retain the leg section in such position, as shown in FIG- URES 15 and16. The stub leg 122 is provided with a pin hole 154 in one side so thatwhen the leg section 132 is moved to its lowermost leg-underlyingposition, the hook 149 can be pulled out and swung around through 180and reinserted into the pin hole 154 in the leg 122 to thus lock the legsection in the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 15.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand elfectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subjectto o extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore,this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A shipping container for bulk material comprising: a pair ofbowl-like container sections of approximately equal height, each havinga generally rectangular base and trapezoidal side walls which divergeslightly from said base toward a somewhat larger open month, saidsections being adapted selectively to be assembled with their openmonths in opposition and secured together to provide a closed containeror to be detached and nested when empty, each of said sections beingformed for the most part of relatively-thin metal having secured theretoan endless heavier reinforcing rim element, said elements havinggenerally complementary interfittable edge configurations for forming atight joint between said sections in their assembled relation, and saidrim elements being rovided on their outer sides with recessedconfigurations, the recessed configurations in one of said rim elementshaving undercut sidewall portions facing away from the open mouth of thecorresponding section; and a plurality of toggle means spaced about theperiphery of said sections for detachably securing the latter togetherin their assembled relation, each of said toggle means comprising alever mounted in a recessed configuration in the other of said rimelements for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between an outersection-releasing position and an inner section-securing or stowedposition wherein said lever is received substantially completely withinits said recessed configuration, and a draw link having one end thereofpivotally mounted on said lever and the other end thereof provided withhook means for detachable engagement with a said undercut side wallportion of a recessed configuration in said one rim element.

2. The structure defined in claim -1 in which the other rim element has,along that edge portion thereof remote from the open mouth of thecorresponding section, an outwardly-facing uninterrupted endlessperipheral surface portion defining the major transverse dimension ofsaid section, each of the toggle means being confined within thehorizontal outline of said surface portion in both section-securing andstowed posit-ions.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the one rim element has,along the edge portion thereof remote from the open mouth of thecorresponding section, an outwardly-facing uninterrupted endlessperipheral surface portion defining the major transverse dimension ofsaid section, each of the toggle means being confined within thehorizontal outline of said surface portion when engaged with theundercut side wall portion.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 in which both rim elements have,along those edge portions thereof remote from the open mouths of theirrespective sections, outwardly-facing uninterrupted endless peripheralsurface portions which are substantially in vertical registry when saidsections are in their assembled relation and which define the majortransverse dimensions of said sections, each of the toggle means beingconfined within the horizontal outline of said surface portions insection-securing position.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the sections and rimelements are constructed and arranged so that one element rests on theother when either of said sections is nested in the other in a manner sothat the weight of the inner section is supported on the rim element ofthe outer section "with the base and side wall portions of said sections which are formed of the relatively thin metal being spaced apartthroughout their entire confronting areas.

6. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the interfit-table edgeconfigurations comp-rise an endless rib on the edge of one rim elementand an endless groove in the other, and including a resilientcompressible sealing strip in said groove.

7. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the arm, when disengagedfrom the undercut side wall portion, is movable into a stowed positionextending generally in the same direction as, and away from the pivotalaxis of, the lever for reception with the lever substantially completelywithin the recessed configuration on the other rim element.

8. The stmcture defined in claim 7 including detent means carried byeach toggle means for releasably retaining the arm in its stowedposition.

9. A shipping container for bulk material comprising: a pair ofbowl-like container sections of approximately equal height, each havinga generally rectangular base and trapezoidal side Walls which divergeslightly from said base toward a somewhat larger open mouth, saidsections being adapted selectively to be assembled with their openmouths in opposition and secured together to provide a closed containeror to be detached and nested when empty, each of said sections beingformed, for the most part of relatively-thin metal having securedthereto an endless thicker reinforcing rim element, said rim elementshaving generally complementary interfi-ttable edge configurations forforming a tight joint between said sections in their assembled relation,said rim elements having along the edge portions thereof remote iirornthe open mouths of their corresponding sections outwardly-facinguninterrupted endless peripheral surface portions of the same horizontaloutline and defining, when said sections are in their assembledrelation, the major transverse dimensions of said container with theouter side portions of said rim elements extending between said surfiaceportions being offset inwardly of the latter; selectively engageable anddisengageable rmeans located at and engageable with said outer sideportions of said rim elements to selectively secure said sectionstogether in their assembled relation or permit detachment and nestingthereof when empty, said means being disposed within the horizontaloutline of said surface portions in both securing and detachedpositions.

10. The structure defined in claim 9 in which each rim elementterminates, along that edge thereof remote from the open mouth of thecorresponding section, in an endless rib spaced outwardly of the sidewalls of the corresponding section and engageab le by hook means forcontainer tie-down or lifting purposes.

11. A shipping container for bulk material comprising: a pair of upperand lower bowl-like container sections of approximately equal height,each having a generally rectangular base and trapezoidal side wallswhich diverge slightly from said base toward a. somewhat larger openmonth, said sections being adapted selectively to be assembled withtheir open months in opposition and secured together to provide a closedcontainer or to be detached and nested when empty, each of said sectionsbeing formed for the most part of relatively-thin metal having securedthereto an endless heavier rein-forcing rim element, said elementshaving generally complementary interfittable edge configurations forforming a tight joint between said sections in their assembled relation,said lower section being provided, adjacent each corner of its base,with a stub leg having in the lower end thereof an upwardly taperingsocket, and said upper section being provided, at each of the corners ofits base, with an upwardly tapering stacking lug substantiallycomplementary to and for reception within the sockets in the stub legsof another container for stabilizing two such assembled containers instacked relation, said stub legs being of a length to provide onlysufficient clearance between the base of said lower section and anunderlying 'surfiace for :the reception of the fork of a fork-linttruck; and a leg section hinged to each of said stub legs for pivotalmovement between a substantially upright portion beneath and inengagement with said stub leg and a substantially horizontal positionwherein said leg section does not project below the lower end of saidstub leg; and manually-operable means for locking said leg section ineither of said positions, said leg section, in upright position, beingeffective to increase said clearance to an extent only sufficient toreceive a pallet truck.

12. A shipping container for bulk material comprising: a pair of upperand lower bow=l-like container sections of approximately equal height,each having a generally rectangular base and trapezoidal side wallswhich diverge slightly from said base toward a somewhat larger openmonth, said sections being adapted selectively to be assembled theiropen months in opposition and secured together to provide a closedcontainer or to be detached and nested when empty, each of said sectionsbeing formed for the most part of relatively-thin metal having securedthere-to an endless heavier reinforcing rim element, said elementshaving generally complementary interfittable edge configurations forforming a tight joint between said sections in their assembled relation,said lower section being provided, adjacent each 'eorner of its base,with a stub leg of a length to provide only sufficient clearance betweenthe base of said lower section and an underlying surface for thereception of the fork of a fork-lift truck; and a leg section hinged toeach of said stub legs for pivotal movement between a substantiallyupright position beneath and in engagement with said stub leg and asubstantially horizontal position wherein said leg section does notproject below the lower end of said stub leg, said leg sections inupright position being effective to increase aid clearance to an extentonly sufiicient to receive a pallet truck; and manually operable meansfor locking each of said leg sections in either of said positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS112,214 Brewer Feb. 28, 1871 1,966,681 Petersen July 17, 1934 2,457,842Smith Jan. 4, 1949 2,693,706 'Rawson Nov. 9, 1954 2,806,368 Koch Aug.20; 1957 2,918,190 Martin Dec. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,643 GreatBritain of 1900

1. A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR BULK MATERIAL COMPRISING: A PAIR OFBOWL-LIKE CONTAINER SECTIONS OF APPROXIMATELY EQUAL HEIGHT, EACH HAVINGA GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BASE AND TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE WALLS WHICH DIVERGESLIGHTLY FROM SAID BASE TOWARD A SOMEWHAT LARGER OPEN MOUTH, SAIDSECTIONS BEING ADAPTED SELECTIVELY TO BE ASSEMBLED WITH THEIR OPENMOUTHS IN OPPOSITION AND SECURED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A CLOSED CONTAINEROR TO BE DETACHED AND NESTED WHEN EMPTY, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS BEINGFORMED FOR THE MOST PART OF RELATIVELY-THIN METAL HAVING SECURED THERETOAN ENDLESS HEAVIER REINFORCING RIM ELEMENT, SAID ELEMENTS HAVINGGENERALLY COMPLEMENTARY INTERFITTABLE EDGE CONFIGURATIONS FOR FORMING ATIGHT JOINT BETWEEN SAID SECTIONS IN THEIR ASSEMBLED RELATION, AND SAIDRIM ELEMENTS BEING PROVIDED ON THEIR OUTER SIDES WITH RECESSEDCONFIGURATIONS, THE RECESSED CONFIGURATIONS IN ONE OF SAID RIM ELEMENTSHAVING UNDERCUT SIDEWALL PORTIONS FACING AWAY FROM THE OPEN MOUTH OF THECORRESPONDING SECTIONS; AND A PLURALITY OF TOGGLE MEANS SPACED ABOUT THEPERIPHERY OF SAID SECTIONS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING THE LATTER TOGETHERIN THEIR ASSEMBLED RELATION, EACH OF SAID TOGGLE MEANS COMPRISING ALEVER MOUNTED IN A RECESSED CONFIGURATION IN THE OTHER OF SAID RIMELEMENTS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS BETWEEN AN OUTERSECTION-RELEASING POSITION AND AN INNER SECTION-SECURING OR STOWEDPOSITION WHEREIN SAID LEVER IS RECEIVED SUBSTANTAILLY COMPLETELY WITHINITS SAID RECESSED CONFIGURATION, AND A DRAW LINK HAVING ONE END THEREOFPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LEVER AND THE OTHER END THEREOF PROVIDED WITHHOOK MEANS FOR DETACHABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH A SAID UNDERCUT SIDE WALLPORTION OF A RECESSED CONFIGURATION IN SAID ONE RIM ELEMENT.